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Published by the Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Forensic Sciences Washington, D.C. 20537 The U. S. Attorney General has determined that the publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of the public business required by the Department of Justice. Information, instructions, and disclaimers are published in the January issues.
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
CODEINE IN "SNOW-CONE" SYRUP IN ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received an unusual exhibit consisting of four 1-gallon plastic bottles of grape-flavored "snow-cone" syrup, each filled with a viscous purple liquid with a strong grape odor, suspected to contain codeine (see Photo1; note the small glass vial in the foreground showing a sample of the liquid). The exhibit was seized by the DEA Los Angeles Field Division (Riverside) at the United Parcel Service facility in Ontario (about 25 miles east of Los Angeles). Analysis by GC-FID, GC-IR, and GC-MS confirmed codeine. Quantitation by CE with UV detection determined a concentration of 1.1 milligrams/milliliter, equivalent to a net total mass of 16.7 grams of codeine in the four gallons. This amount is equivalent to approximately 2200 (normal) adult dosage units. This is the first time the Southwest Laboratory has encountered this type of exhibit.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - CHOCOLATE/PSILOCYBIN "LOLLIPOP" IN TAMPA, FLORIDA The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Crime Laboratory (Tampa, Florida) recently received an unusual submission of a chocolate lollipop from the Tampa Police Department. The evidence was recovered at a Grateful Dead Concert in Tampa, and was submitted as a suspected chocolate/psilocybin mushroom concoction. The lollipop was cellophane wrapped, about 6 x 4 centimeters in size (candy only), weighed 27.4 grams (including the stick), and looked and smelled like chocolate candy (see Photo 2). However, pieces of fibrous material (presumed ground psilocybin mushroom) were visible throughout the chocolate when the lollipop was broken (see Photo 3). Acid/base workup followed by analysis of an extract by GC and GC/MS confirmed psilocin. Extraction of a separate sample of the exhibit with methanol, followed by preparatory TLC, followed by standard TLC, confirmed psilocin (quantitation not performed). Of note, there was no indication of psilocybin in the sample. This was the first encounter with a chocolate/psilocybin (psilocin) concoction by the Laboratory. [Editor's Note: Numerous additional examples of chocolate/psilocybin mushroom concoctions were reported in the May, June, and August 2003 issues of Microgram Bulletin.] * * * * *
The DEA Mid-Atlantic Laboratory (Largo, Maryland) recently received 11.71 kilograms of white powder, suspected cocaine, concealed within six wood-framed pictures decorated with laminated art prints (see Photo 4). The artwork was seized at the main FedEx facility in Memphis, Tennessee by the U.S. Customs Service, and was subsequently controlled-delivered to a location in Alexandria, Virginia. The powder was enclosed in white plastic and tape, then sandwiched between two wooden layers (see Photo 5). The front wooden layer had the art print affixed while the back of the frame was covered in plaster and paint to help conceal the contents. Analysis by GC, FTIR and GC/MS resulted confirmed 40 percent cocaine hydrochloride, adulterated with phenacetin. Although the Laboratory has seen similar exhibits in the past, this concealment method is not commonly encountered.
IN MIAMI, FLORIDA The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received an unusual submission consisting of 30 packages containing compressed bricks of white powder, suspected cocaine, 29 of them contained in "FilmShield" lead pouches (see Photo 6). "FilmShield" pouches are intended to be used to protect film against airport X-ray damage; their external dimensions are 12 x 6 x 1.5 inches. The exhibits were seized at a hotel in Miami in an undercover operation by the DEA Miami Field Division. The bricks (8 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches) were successively packaged in clear plastic wrap, then a rubber wrap, then another layer of clear plastic wrap, and finally a silver colored tape. Each brick had two logos; the larger looks like the former Eastern Airlines logo, while the smaller is an indistinct eight-sided seal with both a cross and the Peanuts' comic strip character Woodstock (small, stylized bird) in the center (see Photo 7). Analysis of the powder (total net mass 29.98 kilograms) by GC/MS, GC, and IR confirmed 84 percent cocaine hydrochloride. This is the first submission of this type of concealment method to the Laboratory.
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The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received an unusual submission from the Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York City Office) consisting of 2 pillar candles each containing three discs of compressed tan powder, suspected heroin. The first candle was green and gold in color and approximately 5 inches in height by 4 inches in diameter, while the second was blue and green in color and approximately 7 inches in height by 4 inches in diameter (see Photo 8). The exhibits originated in Buenos Aires, were initially seized at the FedEx facility in Memphis, Tennessee, and were then control-delivered to a location in New York City. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 975 grams) by GC-FID, GC-MS and FT-IR confirmed 85 percent heroin hydrochloride, adulterated with lidocaine. This is the first submission of heroin in candles to the Laboratory. [Editor's Note: A review of the Microgram archives indicate that there have been no previous reports of powdered heroin smuggled inside candles. However, a similar seizure of cocaine in a candle was reported in the September 2003 issue of Microgram Bulletin, and a seizure of cocaine base "secreted in the base of religious candles" (not clear if inside the candle, or inside separate bases that held the candles) was reported in the December 1986 issue of Microgram.] - INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -
IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA The Scottsdale Police Department
Crime Laboratory (Scottsdale, Arizona) recently received two yellow tablets
with a star logo, suspected ecstasy (see Photo 9). The
tablets (total net mass 469 milligrams) were included as a "freebie" during
an undercover purchase of cocaine made in Scottsdale by the Scottsdale
Police Department, and were sold identified only as "pills to party with".
Analysis by color testing and MS, however, indicated not only MDMA but
also methamphetamine, ephedrine, caffeine, lidocaine, and ketamine. The
exhibits were not formally quantitated; however, the MDMA, methamphetamine,
and ketamine were present in an approximate 2:1:1 ratio. This is the first
submission of this type to the Crime Laboratory. * * * * *
IN COUNCIL GROVE, KANSAS The Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Laboratory in Topeka recently received a submission of seven clear capsules
containing a light brown powder (total net mass not reported) from the
Council Grove Police Department (Council Grove is located about 50 miles
southwest of Topeka). The capsules (see Photo 10) were
seized (along with several ounces of marijuana) subsequent to a DUI/vehicle
stop. The defendant indicated that the capsules were "mushroom pills".
Analysis by TLC indicated psilocin and psilocybin, and analysis by GC/MS
confirmed psilocin (quantitation not performed). This was the Laboratory's
first encounter with this type of exhibit; however, a similar exhibit
was seen by the KBI Great Bend Laboratory in 2002.
IN ARCATA, CALIFORNIA The State of California Forensic
Laboratory in Eureka recently received a submission of 11.02 grams of
peyote buttons (see Photo 11; note that both sides of
the buttons are displayed). The exhibits were seized by the Arcata Police
Department (circumstances of seizure not reported); Arcata is a college
town housing Humboldt State University, located about 10 miles north of
Eureka. Analysis by GC/MS confirmed mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine);
quantitation not performed. This was the first peyote case seen at the
Laboratory in about three years.
* * * * *
The DEA South Central Laboratory
(Dallas, Texas) recently received a seizure of suspected peyote cactus
bulbs (buttons) and roots from Hebbronville, Texas (located about 50 miles
east southeast of Laredo) (see Photo 12). The exhibits (total net mass
4.034 kilograms, damp) were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol during a
vehicle stop just south of the town. Analysis by GC and GC/IR confirmed
mescaline (quantitation not performed). Although the Laboratory has seen
over 100 exhibits of peyote since 1970, this is the first exhibit received
in about two years. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As of the completion of the third quarter of Calendar Year 2003 (September 30, 2003), only four manuscripts had been submitted for publication in the next (July - December, 2003) issue of Microgram Journal, and four additional manuscripts (detailed below) have been promised. The DEA Office of Forensic Sciences continues to invite the submission of both Technical Notes and full-length Scientific Articles for consideration for publication in the Journal. Towards that end, the following suggestions are offered as possible research topics: Currently Promised The following manuscripts have been promised, but are provided so that other researchers can see examples of the types of research articles that are needed: A) Detailed Botanical Identification of Salvia Divinorum. B) Comprehensive Spectral and Chromatographic Data for Salvinorin A, B, and C. C) Comprehensive Spectral and Chromatographic Data for Nandralone Cypionate. D) Comprehensive Spectral and Chromatographic Data for 5-Methoxy-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT) (one submitted; two others promised). Ideas A) Improved Color Test for Ketamine. B) Comprehensive Spectral and Chromatographic Data for Carisoprodol. C) Time Study of the Decomposition of Illicit Drugs Upon Extended Vault Storage. D) "Marker" Impurities that Establish the Use of Home-Made Anhydrous Ammonia in the Lithium/Ammonia or Sodium/Ammonia Reduction ("Nazi") Synthesis of Methamphetamine. E) Statistical Analysis of Large Bags of Mixed Logo/Mixed Color MDMA Tablets - Are Isolation and Separate Analyses Necessary?
F) Identification of Licit versus Illicit Commercial Drugs. G) Methods Used (by an Individual Laboratory or Laboratory System) to Identify Synthetic Routes Used to Produce Illicit Drugs. H) Mini-Reviews (separate manuscripts for each topic) on the Current State of:
Guidelines for Authors were published in the January - June, 2003 of the Journal, and are also posted on the Microgram website.
The following alphabetized list represents domestic (U.S.) organizations that have dropped off the Microgram subscription e-net. Most of these organizations never responded to last year's multiple subscription re-validation requests. Some represent offices or laboratories that closed years or even decades ago. A few others provided invalid email addresses, or provided email addresses that have since become invalid. The Office of Forensic Sciences requests your assistance in tracking down these organizations, and (if they are still interested in receiving Microgram Bulletin and Microgram Journal) asking them to provide an accurate email address to the Microgram Editor. Note that personal names and/or street addresses have been redacted for security reasons; however, the provided information should be adequate to identify those organizations that are still operational. If the office or laboratory has closed or consolidated, or is simply not interested in remaining on the subscription e-net, that information would also be appreciated. All responses should be emailed to the Editor at: microgram_editor@mailsnare.net An equivalent listing of foreign organizations will be provided in the November issue of Microgram Bulletin. All organizations for which no response is received will be deleted from the subscription database at the end of this year.
**** **** **** **** SELECTED REFERENCES [Note: Selected references are a compilation of recent publications of presumed interest to forensic chemists. Unless otherwise stated, all listed citations are published in English. If available, the email address for the primary author is provided as the contact information. Listed mailing address information (which is sometimes cryptic or incomplete) exactly duplicates that provided by the abstracting services.] 1. Titterton E, Carter J, Murray M, Sleeman R. Characterisation [sic] of ecstasy tablets by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Proceedings of the 16th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, Montpellier, France, September 2-7, 2002, pps 111-115. [Editor's Notes: MDA- and MDMA-based Ecstasy tablets were analyzed for deuterium, carbon-13, and nitrogen-15 to derive a isotopic fingerprint. Deuterium substitution was also determined via deuterium NMR. Contact: Mass Spec Analytical Limited, Bristol, UK (no further addressing information provided).] 2. Alghanim HJ, Almirall JR. Development of microsatellite markers in cannabis sativa for DNA typing and genetic relatedness analyses. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1225. [Editor's Notes: Presents a DNA analysis for marijuana. Contact: Florida International University, International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), Department of Chemistry, University Park, Miami, FL 33314.] 3. Ottaviano V, Furnari C, Rosati F. Identification of di(beta-phenylisopropyl)amine as the main ingredient in illicit amphetamine tablets. Annali dell'Instituto Superiore di Sanita 2002;38(3):331. [Editor's Notes: Presents the identification of the title compound as the primary ingredient in several sets of amphetamine tablets sold in Rome during 1999-2000. Contact: Dipartimento di Sanita Pubblica, Laboratorio di Tossicologica Forense, Universita degli Studi "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.] 4. King L. What's in a drug? Druglink 2003;18(4):21. [Editor's Notes: Presents a minor survey of the typical contents of illicit drugs. Contact information not provided.] Additional References of Possible Interest: 1. Ruiz R, Rafols C, Roses M, Bosch E. A potentially simpler approach to measure aqueous pKa of insoluble basic drugs containing amino groups. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2003;92(7):1473. [Editor's Notes: Presents a method for determining pKa's via extrapolation from values determined in methanol/water mixtures. Title drugs include imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, trazadone, and trimipramine. Contact: bosch@apolo.qui.ub.es] 2 Epstein DM, Tebbett IR, Boyd SE. Eliminating sources of pipetting error in the forensic laboratory. Forensic Science Communications 2003;5(4):No Page Number (Internet Reference: www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/index.htm) [Editor's Notes: Presents an overview of the potential sources of error when utilizing air-displacement pipettes. Contact: National Forensic Science Technology Center, Largo, MD (zip code not provided).] 3. Bartick E. Forensic analysis by Raman spectroscopy: An emerging technology. Proceedings of the 16th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, Montpellier, France, September 2-7, 2002, pps 45-50. [Editor's Notes: Presents a general introduction and review of Raman for forensic analysis. Contact: Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA (zip code not provided).] 4. Sun Q. Novel method for identifying Chinese herbal medicine. Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu CN 1370839 A 25 Sept 2002, 6 pp. CLASS: ICM: C12Q001-25. APPLICATION: CN 2001-104457 27 Feb 2001. [Editor's Notes: Presents an application of PCR with Taq enzyme to identify Chinese herbal medications. This patent is written in Chinese. Contact: Peop. Rep. China (no further addressing information provided).] 5. Ballou S, Goodpaster J, MacCrehan W, Reeder, D. Forensic Analysis. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1149. [Editor's Notes: No details provided in abstract. Contact: 100 Bureau Drive, Office of Law Enforcement Standards, National Institute of Standards and Technology, STOP 8102, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.] 6. Gaensslen RE. How do I become a forensic scientist? Educational pathways to forensic science careers. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1151. [Editor's Notes: No details provided in abstract. Contact: College of Pharmacy, Department of Biopharmaceutical Science, Forensic Science Program, Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612.] 7. Almirall JR, Furton KG. Trends in forensic science education: Expansion and increased accountability. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1156. [Editor's Notes: No details provided in abstract. Contact: Department of Chemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Associate Director and Director, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199.] 8. Negrusz A, Gaensslen RE. Analytical developments in toxicological investigation of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1192. [Editor's Notes: Presents a general overview of the drug-facilitated sexual assault phenomenon, and discusses recent analytical/toxicological developments to detect same. Contact: College of Pharmacy, Department of Biopharmaceutical Science (M/C 865), Forensic Science Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612.] 9. Lorenzo N, Wan TL, Harper RJ, Hsu Y-L, Chow M, Rose S, Furton KG. Laboratory and field experiments used to identify Canis lupus var. familiaris active odor signature chemicals from drugs, explosives, and humans. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2003;376(8):1212. [Editor's Notes: Presents the use of headspace-SPME-GC to identify the odors that dogs alert to when searching for the title targets (listed drugs include cocaine and MDMA). Contact: Florida International University, Department of Chemistry and International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), University Park, Miami, FL 33199.] 10. Fitsev IM, Budnikov GK, Blokhin VK, Teslenko PG. Gas chromatographic determination of diacetylmorphine with mass spectrometric detection. Journal of Analytical Chemistry (English translation of Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii) 2003;47(9-12):423. [Editor's Notes: Appears to be a GC/MS method for analysis of heroin in fluids (not clear in abstract). Contact: Forensic Examination Center, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Taterstan, ul. Dzerzhinskogo 19, Kazan Tatarstan 420503, Russia.] 11. Kuznetsov PE, Aparkin AM, Zlobin VA, Nazarov GV, Kosterin PV, Lyubun' EV, Shcherbakov AA. Analysis of opiates by spin-lattice relaxation techniques. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal (English translation of Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal) 2002;36(6):331. [Editor's Notes: Presents the use of the title technique to detect opiates in plasma. Contact: Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia (no further addressing information provided).] 12. Page K. Forensic science: Reformers aim to shake up British system. Science 2003;301(5633):579. [Editor's Notes: No details provided in abstract. Contact information not provided.]
Unless otherwise noted, requests for any of the following offerings should be emailed to the Microgram Editor at: microgram_editor@mailsnare.net Requests should include complete mailing address information, and should confirm that the provided destination is a "safe" (irradiation free) address. Unless otherwise noted, in cases of competing requests, libraries have precedence. [Note: Postage for offerings from the DEA Office of Forensic Sciences will be covered by the Office.] 1) Analyst 2002;127(11,12); 2003;128(1). 2) Journal of AOAC International 1998 - 2002 (some issues missing). 3) Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 1991 - 2002 (many issues missing). 4) Journal of Forensic Sciences 2000;45(6); 2001;46(2,3,4,5,6); 2002;47(All); 2003;48(2). 5) Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1998 - 2002 (some issues missing). 6) Journal of Toxicology and Clinical Toxicology 1997 -2002 (some issues missing). The next offering of journals and textbooks will be in the January 2004 issue of Microgram Bulletin. Subscribers are encouraged to donate surplus or unwanted items or collections; if interested, please consult the Microgram website for further instructions.
THE DEA FY - 2004 STATE AND LOCAL FORENSIC CHEMISTS SEMINAR SCHEDULE The FY - 2004 schedule for the DEA's State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows: December 8 - 12, 2003 Note that the school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement agencies, and is intended for chemists who have completed their agency's internal training program and have also been working on the bench for at least one year. There is no tuition charge for this course. The course is held at the AmeriSuites Hotel in Sterling, Virginia (near the Washington/Dulles International Airport). A copy of the application form is appended onto the end of this issue of Microgram Bulletin, and should be mailed to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Attention: Pam Smith or Jennifer Kerlavage) at: 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166. For additional information, call 703 668-3337.
1. Houston Police
Department (Third and Final Posting) Duties: Manages the daily operations of the Crime Laboratory, including DNA Analysis, Serology, Toxicology, Drug Identification, Trace evidence analysis, Firearms/Toolmark Examination and evidence registration; will serve as Crime Laboratory Director; hires, supervises and evaluates staff of fifty (50) persons; prepares, administers and monitors division budget; ensures compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding physical evidence; oversees development and implementation of standard forensic testing practices and procedures for all sections of Crime Laboratory in accordance with standards set forth by ASCLD-LAB or other appropriate accrediting entity to achieve and maintain laboratory accreditation; plans and implements programs to ensure quality control of laboratory including the generation and storage of laboratory case reports and records; reviews reports and documents concerning evidence analysis and findings; plans directs and oversees the continuous training for all aspects of forensic laboratory services to keep Criminalists up-to-date with all methods of forensic work; works with Investigative Division supervisors to develop protocols for prioritizing laboratory services usage; coordinates division operations with outside agencies and other government agencies; provides physical evidence information to law enforcement agencies, attorneys, judges, the District Attorney's Office and other scientific professionals; reports to an Assistant Chief; performs related duties as required. Qualifications: Educational: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Advanced Degree and major course of study in Criminalistics, Chemistry or any natural or physical science - or - graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major course of study other than one of the described sciences plus fifteen (15) or more years of increasingly complex forensic work experience in a crime laboratory. Experience: Seven (7) years progressively responsible Crime Laboratory experience including two (2) years supervisory experience in an accredited laboratory; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. License: Valid Texas Driver's License and compliance with city's policy on driving (AP 2-2). Application Procedures: Original applications only are accepted and must be received by the Human Resources Department, at 611 Walker, First Floor, Houston, Texas, 77002.
2. Hamilton County
Coroner's Crime Laboratory (Third and Final Posting) Duties: Primary responsibility is to analyze and identify controlled substances using GC-MS, FTIR, and other analytical techniques. Analyst is required to present expert testimony in court. Staff members must comply with safety, quality control, technical and administrative procedures required by accrediting agencies. Analysts also routinely instruct law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals on matters relating to forensic science. Qualifications: A BS/BA degree in forensic science or related natural science from an accredited college. Applicants must have completed an internship in a forensic laboratory. A strong background in mass spectrometry, pharmaceutical analysis, or analytical chemistry is desirable. Applicants must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid drivers license. Application Procedures: Submit resume with cover letter to the contact listed below. Individuals selected for interviews are responsible for their own travel expenses. William L. Dean Phone: 513-946-8755
3. Broward County
Sheriff's Office (BSO) (Second Posting) Duties: This position directs, administers and manages all forensic services functions for the BSO. Critical functions under charge include the Crime Laboratory, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), and Latent Identification. Employees in this classification maintain responsibility for the direction, and management of personnel engaged in latent and ten-print identification, audio/video enhancements, quality control/quality assurance, DNA analysis, firearms and tool mark identification, forensic chemistry, questioned documents examination, and trace evidence analysis. Qualifications: A Master's degree in chemistry, biology, or another physical science is required; a Ph.D. is preferred. The position also requires ten years experience that includes advanced forensic chemistry, biology or criminalistics preferably in a large national, state or regional laboratory. Thorough knowledge of DNA processing and American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) certification required; certification by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) preferred. Experience in a managerial capacity with responsibility for administrative aspects of the work strongly desired. Application Procedures: You may view a detailed job description, download an application or apply on-line at: www.sheriff.org. A completed application and accompanying resume will also be accepted by mail: Broward Sheriff's Office, Human Resources Bureau, 2601 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. EOE M/F/D/V DFWP
4. Ohio University
(Second Posting) Duties: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites applications for a tenure-track position as an assistant/associate professor of forensic chemistry. We seek a chemist with postdoctoral or related experience and a research interest in forensic chemistry or related fields (toxicology, DNA typing, homeland security, etc.) General Requirements: The successful applicant will be expected to have a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field, and to establish a vigorous research program that will attract external funding. Candidates should be prepared to teach general chemistry as well as courses in their area of specialization at both the undergraduate and graduate (M.S. and Ph. D.) levels. Application Procedure:
Submit a curriculum vita, a research plan, a statement of teaching philosophy,
and arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation sent to:
Chair, Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clippinger
Laboratories, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979. Review of applications
will begin on September 22, and will continue until the position is filled.
Further information on the College of Arts and Sciences can be viewed
at http://www.cas.ohiou.edu Ohio University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.
5. Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (First Posting) Duties and General Requirements: The successful applicant should possess a B.S. degree in chemistry or other physical science. The position also requires passage of a background investigation and a top-secret clearance. The applicant will be measured against the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Application Procedure: The full vacancy announcement (DPO-A03-027) and application materials may be found at: http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/summary.asp?OPMControl=110767 Relocation expenses may be provided. NOTE!: Due to problems in the personnel office, anyone who has previously applied for this position is advised to resubmit their application!
1. Title: American
Academy of Forensic Sciences - 56th Annual Meeting (Third Posting)
2. Title: 44th Annual
International Drug Conference (Third and Final Posting)
Computer Corner #175
Quality assurance is an essential component of every forensic laboratory's daily operation. An important element in Quality Assurance Programs is instrument monitoring. Historically, the use of various scientific instruments in the forensic/analytical process has resulted in the development and execution of detailed record keeping procedures that formally document instrument configuration and control settings. Many modern forensic laboratory instruments are primarily analog devices interfacing some sensor or detector array to a display or computer. Analog technology is a concern for forensic scientists because the technology has some inherent characteristics which, if improperly managed, can result in erroneous measurements. Examples of potential analog technical concerns include signal level variations, non-linearity in sensor response, and sensor corruption or "memory" resulting from contamination from previous sample analyses. The ability to monitor and document instrument performance over time adds to the credibility of the forensic laboratory's operation and its findings. Digital evidence laboratories also have to be concerned with their laboratory instrumentation. However, unlike the analog devices of a drug chemistry or DNA forensic laboratory, digital evidence laboratories are exclusively concerned with binary technologies, in particular computers. Concern for analog related issues in a digital evidence laboratory is of theoretical interest, but it is not a concern at the everyday practical level when conducting digital evidence examinations. Nonetheless, digital evidence laboratory instruments (primarily computers) should be monitored and documented to demonstrate that they are in continuous nominal working order. A basic instrument monitoring program would help defeat technical challenges regarding laboratory findings or examiner conclusions that are based on contesting the accuracy and/or working order of the instrumentation. The implementation costs of an instrument monitoring program are reasonable as long as the scope of monitoring activity is properly managed. There are several areas that should be considered in developing an instrument monitoring policy for a digital evidence laboratory.
First, the computer used in an examination needs to be documented at both the hardware and software levels. The documentation preserves basic information that may be required if it is later discovered that there was a flaw that could have affected the outcome of an examination. At the hardware level, only the principal components need to be enumerated. The documentation should include the make, model, and, serial number of the base examination computer. Internal features such as processor type (for example, Pentium IV), processor speed, memory capacity (Random Access Memory), and internal add-on cards (SCSI, PCMCIA, or IDE-Promise) should be identified. Similarly, principal software should also be documented. This documentation should include operating system(s), forensic software, anti-virus software, and any other software utilities such as file browsers, or hexadecimal editors, that are used as part of the examination process. Software documentation should include both name and version/release information.
Second, any major hardware, firmware (ROM/BIOS chips) or software addition, deletion or change to the base examination system, also needs to be recorded. This information preserves the ability of laboratory management to identify computer system changes that may impact on the examination results or conclusions. However, the recording of minor software upgrades would likely result in an inordinate amount of examiner time being spent on instrument log upkeep. Digital evidence laboratory management should therefore establish clear policies on what kinds of changes merit being recorded in an instrument log. For example, an upgrade of a new version of software (such as, a change from version 3 to version 4) is usually considered a significant event that should be recorded. In contrast, a software patch (for example, a change from version 4.01 to version 4.02) is a common occurrence in the software business, and should not be recorded. In most laboratories, documenting all such minor changes would become an almost daily task that would very likely reduce examiner productivity. An alternative, less intensive policy would be to selectively record only changes to forensic examination software. Regardless, failure to establish a rational threshold of what constitutes a significant change will likely result in voluminous and time consuming log entries of questionable utility.
Third, any restoration of "ghosted" or hard drive duplicates should be documented. Typically, examination hard drives are restored at the beginning of a new examination, as part of the quality assurance process to insure the integrity of the software. This practice is a useful digital evidence laboratory quality assurance technique.
Fourth, any major hardware or software failure should be recorded to identify problems that conceivably could affect examination results. However, a rational threshold is also needed here to identify those failures that should to be documented. Occasional system lock ups (affectionately known as "the blue screen of death"), or the need to reinitialize a specific program or process, should not be considered a major technical failure unless it occurs with a regular frequency ("regular" meaning often enough to significantly impact examiner productivity, or to suggest that the program is somehow corrupted).
Fifth, periodic examination computer system checks should be conducted and documented. Successful passing of the POST test, booting completely to either a GUI interface or command prompt, and executing a normal shut down, all demonstrate that both the computer hardware and operating system software are nominally functional.
The scope of any instrument monitoring and documentation program needs to balance concerns for thoroughness and laboratory credibility with examiner time expenditure. DEA has chosen to implement a monthly testing program, record only significant changes, and document all exhibits that are processed on each computer system.
DEA has a bound instrument monitoring log book assigned to every computer workstation in its laboratory that is used to process evidence. This includes specialized portable computers that process evidence on-site and dedicated password cracking computers. Use of a bound log book is a common forensic laboratory technique to demonstrate continuity of hand written data records. Questions or comments: E-mail: mphelan@erols.com DEA State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar Application Form
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